I thought it would be a good time to discuss what should we do when caught offshore with a broken rudder. Maybe the pro's could help out us novices on what to do when the pin breaks and it might be the second pin of the day.
Last October while sailing off west Maui with my last rudder pin in place and it failed and I was out in a pretty good wind and chop. To get home I needed to pass over several hundred yards of very shallow reef and avoid the surf zone. I did not want to go through the reef with my pedals installed because they would be damaged from the reef. I was getting blown away from shore and paddling was not working at all. I finally started pedaling towards the reef while using my paddle for a rudder which worked OK for getting closer to the reef to make my entry in area I would usually stay away from because the reef is just below the surface but the next entry was way down the coast. I was unsuccessful at paddling through the reef because I could not make any headway against the wind and you don't want to get stuck bouncing around the reef and surf zone. I finally pull out some sail and using my paddle for a rudder made it in safely and quickly without any damage to me or the boat.

I've replaced a couple of rudder pins bobbing around in swells, chop, etc.

No fun.

I did find on one occasion I could steer with a paddle, IF I reefed in the sail. The problem being the craft's tendency to point to windward . Reefing reduces this as described elsewhere. If your familar with OC-6 steering methods the paddle is sufficient, but awkward in winds up to around 12 knots or so.

However, I've said the hell with protecting the rudder assembly if I hit something. I now use an aluminum pin.

I've changed one hanging off the rear deck, another in the water behind the boat (in little 3' waves). Scott changed one of mine from his AI nested up behind mine (in +4' waves). All can be done but no fun!

I haven't broken any in a while, but I now go to shore to change if possible. I've sailed back a few times 'ruddering' with a paddle, and pedaled-paddled back a couple of other times.

Wow I cannot wait for the Spring and warm water so to get this boat out in conditions where one could stress these rudder Pins as to be breaking them. Is it safe to be out in these boats in those conditions? What are these conditions?

I have broken one pin in 9 months of use. Just as I was launching from my usual floating pier a Southerly blew up. It was soon up to 25+ knots and I had trouble getting away from the pier and bumped into it hard a couple of times with the rudder. I had gone about 500m and the wind was increasing when the pin broke and I had no rudder control. Remembering how others had posted about using the paddle I was able to steer away from the looming oyster beds. Furling the sail I tried fixing it on the water but it proved too difficult so I headed across to a boat ramp under pedal power and a half reefed sail, fixed it using the spare and continued on my way. Had a most exhilarating ride! With hindsight if I had to fix it on the water I would drop the mast and lower the daggerboard to steady the AI and slow drift.

Mickey was an Officer in his earlier life. He gets confused sometimes. You can get by with just your fingers by forcing the pin upwards from the bottom, or better still a nice pair of long-nose pliers like you have in your Swiss Army Knife, would do just fine.. ...Captain Pirate.

I have a SS pin the same size as the Hobie rudder pin that I bought from Lowes when I broke my first pin and waiting for parts. It works great to help push out the old pin and keep the bottom aligned while putting in the new one (on shore or water).

One problem I've had is most of the broken pins were mangled and hard to get out. Also remember you will need to clear the two up/down lines when removing/installing pins, which is why the newer pins are "D" shaped.

I have a pair of plastic needle nose pliers on a leash in the cockpit to use for everything from pulling a hook out of a fish to helping change a pin. I keep more stuff in a dry bag in the hull but find these pliers really handy. I do carry a SS pin and a nylon pin in the web compartment in the cockpit, these have been backups but thanks to Kayakingbob will now be used to push out the damaged pin and keep the shaft aligned while I push in the new Hobie pin.

I wonder if a coating of good old vasoline on the pin every now and again would help stop any binding and prevent friction with may be a contributing factor in their breakage, whilst also making its emergency removal far easier ...Captain Pirate